"It combines coding with robotics in the physical world, which is something that's very different from what we've been able to do before," said Cheryl Thomas, Apple's vice president of software engineering operations.

"Education's in our DNA," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of product marketing for apps, markets and services. "Those aren't just words to us. It's really been important to us to figure out how technology can transform teaching and learning in the classroom."